- Image of Time Takers, Courtesy of of NCSOFT

Time Takers is Just in Time to Revitalize the Third-Party Shooter. Maybe.

Originally posted on Total Apex Gaming | By David Gilbert | Last updated Aug 23, 2025 10:51 AM ET

Video game company, NCSoft, had an amazing night at the Gamescom 2025 Opening Night Live. During their segment, Cohosts Geoff Keighley and Skojz presented a surprise trailer for the upcoming game Time Takers, following the announcement of the company’s other title, Cinder City. After the first glimpse, players are left to ask one question – why would a company so deeply rooted in the MMORPG genre venture into the competitive shooter market?

This Game Will Surely Have Time To Kill

Well, the answer lies in strategic acquisition, as NCSoft secured the global publishing rights for Time Takers from the Korean developer Mistil Games the previous year. Founded by former Pearl Abyss developers Yongsoo Seo and Yongmin Cho, Mistil Games was built by two individuals who brought significant experience from their work on Black Desert Online and Black Desert Mobile.

Although an initial press release promised a 2025 release, Gamescom confirmed a global launch on PC and consoles for 2026 in an updated announcement. Within weeks or months, it don’t be surprised if NCSoft drops a hands-on preview to build anticipation. Given that the company immediately opened sign-ups for a closed playtest on Steam, it’s even more likely to be in development plans.

Again, let’s not forget that NCSoft’s established reputation as a publisher of major MMORPG franchises like Lineage and Guild Wars is why this move was a brilliant surprise by the company. Further speculation was fueled on the official Time Takers website by revealing the first three characters and teasing several more for a September reveal, implying a roster of thirteen characters at launch.

Time Takers: It’s About Time Literally and Figuratively

Image of Time Takers, Courtesy of NCSOFT

According to the Steam page details, Time Takers is a third-person hero shooter battle royale where teams of three compete to be the last squad standing. So, how will the game’s proposed mechanics escape the shadow of its established competitors like Apex Legends? What separates Time Takers from other games in its genre is its unique twist, which involves breaking away from fixed character roles.

With this added twist, players are allowed to customize their loadouts with specific weapons and apps, which can then be upgraded mid-combat using a resource called Time Energy. This resource is also another exciting addition to the game, is that it’s tied directly to a player’s lifeline, making its efficient collection a critical part of the strategy. Not only that, but the game will also incorporate dynamic events capable of altering the course of a match.

Tired of Hero Shooters? Time for Another

Unfortunately, Time Takers must face against the declining interest in third-person shooters as a whole. Player fatigue has been a significant concern, with recent titles like XDefiant and Concord struggling to maintain audiences. Even more skeptical comments predicting a short lifespan flooded Time Taker‘s initial trailer. In response, NC America CEO Jeonghee Jin acknowledges the shooter market is saturated.

Despite the hard truth, the CEO believed that a new entry is warranted, arguing that players are always seeking fresh experiences. Discussing NC Soft’s role, Jin contended that the game wasn’t a copycat, but was the company applying its specific expertise to the shooter genre to offer something different to its existing player base, leveraging Korean creativity and aesthetics to hook a global audience. That said, can Time Takers successfully integrate its MMORPG-inspired elements to create a truly unique and lasting competitive shooter? In time, gamers will have an answer with an upcoming playtest that will provide the first real opportunity to assess its potential.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Gaming and was syndicated with permission.

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